Inherit the Wind Compassion and Forgiveness Quotes

How we cite our quotes: (Act, Scene, Line)

Quote #7

HORNBECK. (Askance) Well, what do you know!

Henry Drummond for the defense

Even of his enemies!

DRUMMOND (Low, moved) There was much greatness in this man. (III, 617-24)

Hornbeck tries to bait Drummond into talking smack about Brady, but Drummond is just too good. How does this Drummond compare with the one we've seen in the first two acts? How has he changed, and to what do you attribute that change?

Quote #8

HORNBECK. I charge you with contempt of conscience!

Self-perjury. Kindness aforethought.

Sentimentality in the first degree. (III, 671-74)

He's a real joker, that Hornbeck. But these lines reveal that he's not all fun and games. He's serious about wanting everyone to stay strong and stick to what they believe in, no matter what human emotions might intrude. And he's really unhappy that no one wants to join his bullying club. He's a rational man, and to him, that means going hard all of the time, no ifs, sympathies, or buts about it.

Quote #9

HORNBECK. "Be-Kind-To-Bigots" Week. Since Brady's dead,

We must be kind. God, how the world is rotten

With kindness! (III, 678-81)

It almost seems like Hornbeck is the one with principles here, since he's being consistent in his hatred. But could there be another way to explain everyone's attitudes toward Brady? Is being unequivocally nasty really the same thing as being principled?